Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The New York Palace Hotel

One of my favorite periods of time is the "Gilded Age" which took place in the late 19th century in the United States. It was a time of great wealth due to the rise in the economy because of the importance of industries such as factories, railroads and coal mining.The New York Palace Hotelwas built in 1882, for Henry Villard, commissioned by the most famous architectural firm ofMcKim, Meade, and Whiteheaded by the great Stanford White. The style is Renaissance Revival and the impact is just marvelous!!

The outdoor space is really wonderful. Anyone can take a break here from shopping/sightseeing and relax in this plaza oasis. I did and it was so lovely. It really gives you that New York atmosphere. The Courtyard, the original Madison Avenue carriage entrance of The Villard Mansion, was redesigned during the restoration to incorporate motifs from the flooring of several 15th-century Italian cathedrals. The Renaissance designs were carried out in pink; rose and black marble set into striated jade-green and rose granite.

When you walk in, well, you are in awe. I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. I didn't know what to photograph first so just started shooting away. Marble floors were just so beautiful.........

Then you look up .....oh boy.....this is just really too much !! In keeping with the times, The Villard Mansion was conceived in the neo-Italian Renaissance tradition, after the Palazzo della Cancellaria in Rome.

the ceiling was just a luscious treat to the eye......Stanford White had such strong, gorgeous visions, and we are so lucky to be able to enjoy them all these years later.

This has to be one of the most beautiful lobby's I have ever viewed in person.

This was too incredible to not show you up close. To think this was someone's personal home is just amazing to me as to the amount of wealth during this period in America.

The New York Palace's Modern American Restaurant, GILT, which has received 2 Michelin Star rating. The detail everywhere you look is quite remarkable.

Wait till you see this for Xmas ! Had to revisit for the holidays and they do it up right! So gorgeous...if I win the lottery some day, this is where I would stay. Between the decor and location...it is a solid 10 !!!

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